Connect with us

Caribbean News

Montego Bay Hosting a Showcase of 17 Talented Artists in Due West Exhibition

Published

on

BY: SERENA GRANT     

 

Montego Bay, April 22, 2025 – Members of the public can now view the works of 17 of western Jamaica’s talented artists, which are on display in the Due West Exhibition in Montego Bay, St. James.

The pieces, showcased at National Gallery West, include ceramics, paintings, photography, printmaking, and fibre arts, among others. They were created using a diverse range of materials.

The themes largely centre on the environment, relationships and portraiture (portraits).

The exhibition, which runs until August, was formally opened on April 13 with a reception at the gallery, just ahead of World Art Day, observed on April 15.

Among the guests in attendance was Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, who emphasised the significance of art as a means of self-expression, “especially when we are trying to promote our culture”.

“[Art] is an active means of getting our inner expression outside and to get the world to engage with what we see, how we live and our own experience; people express the Jamaican culture in different ways, especially through art,” he told JIS News.

Councillor Vernon also highlighted the significance of the exhibition being mounted at Gallery West.

“This is a location that we are trying to promote. We want to have persons come in… each day when we have the different… exhibitions happening. [When we have] tourists visiting our city centre, they can come and experience that as well,” he stated.

For his part, Chief Curator at the National Gallery of Jamaica, O’Neil Lawrence, told JIS News that the Due West exhibition was initially held in 2019 and then in 2020.

However, he said the COVID-19 pandemic, along with other challenges, disrupted plans for further exhibitions.

Mr. Lawrence emphasised the importance that the Gallery’s management placed on the exhibitions.

“It’s going to be our flagship [event], because we really believe in creating a platform for western Jamaica. There are a lot of artists who come out of western Jamaica. I think some of the leading artists coming out of Jamaica came from this region,” he pointed out.

Mr. Lawrence highlighted the late, highly acclaimed painter, Barrington Watson, as a notable figure, adding that artists from western Jamaica continue to gain prominence both locally and globally.

He urged artists to begin preparing their submissions for future Due West exhibitions. Eligible pieces must be created within the last three years, and artworks will be available for purchase directly from the artists after the exhibition concludes.

Assistant Curator at National Gallery West, Monique Gilpin, noted that the call for submissions for Due West 2025 was issued last November.

Some 40 submissions were received by the Gallery’s selection committee, of which 17 were shortlisted.

Ms. Gilpin advised that a People’s Choice Award is being incorporated this year, which will allow patrons to vote for their favourite display or artist, based on the pieces exhibited,

To vote, persons can either scan the QR codes on the labels of various artworks or use ballot boxes at the gallery.

“The artist with the most votes at the end of the exhibition… will receive a cash prize of $250,000. It is a part of our initiative to continue to support emerging and professional artists within the region as it is something that is necessary, as there are not that many platforms of this nature that support artists from western Jamaica,” Ms. Gilpin stated.

Artist, Brighton Brown, who is showcasing a printmaking piece in the exhibition, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate and encouraged fellow artists in western Jamaica to strive to be a part of the next staging.

He also encouraged them to identify alternative media to showcase their work.

“You must be steadfast in looking out for opportunities… you don’t always have to rely on a gallery. You can also put on your own show. They can also showcase their work online, bringing their works to different places, showing people what they can do and trying to network with others, or look to the overseas markets as well,” Mr. Brown said.

For his part, Montego Bay businessman, Lloyd B. Smith, who was a patron at the opening reception, said the exhibition is “an excellent idea”                                                                                                                                                            “For too long, artists in the west have had to just pander their wares to the tourism industry, hoping to make a few bucks without getting the necessary recognition from the community at large. I think that this exposure is the right direction, because it elevates our talents to certain levels of excellence and distinction. I hope that this will be a regular affair so that the artists can get their work sufficiently exposed and, in the long run, benefit from the experience,” he underscored.

Mr. Smith noted that artists in western Jamaica continue to journey to Kingston in order to gain recognition, which he said is unfortunate.

“I think Due West is showing us that our artists in the west are talented. They have creativity, they have a right to be here and we have to give them the support on an ongoing basis so that their works will become part and parcel of the overall creative arts experience in the country and not just in Montego Bay,” he stated.

World Art Day was observed this year under the theme ‘A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community through Art’.

 

CAPTIONS:

Header: Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon (second left), converses with (from left) Chief Curator, National Gallery Jamaica, O’Neil Lawrence; artist, David Pinto, and Chairman, Montego Bay Arts Council, Josef Forstmayr. The occasion was the opening reception for the Due West exhibition at National Gallery West at the Montego Bay Culture Centre in St. James on April 13.

1st insert: Several patrons view artwork during the opening reception of the Due West exhibition at National Gallery West at the Montego Bay Culture Centre in St. James on April 13). The exhibition runs until August.

Serena Grant Photos

Whatsapp Image

Due West Exhibition Flyer

Contributed

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

Published

on

Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

Published

on

Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

Published

on

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING